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Victory for Team Derby at BUCS Awards 2018

13 July 2018

The University of Derby’s sports division Team Derby has been ranked in the Top 40 in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league table – its highest ever position, moving up 17 places.

Derby also scooped ‘Most Improved University’ – the only University to be awarded the accolade twice – at the BUCS Awards ceremony last night (July 12).

BUCS deliver more than 50 sports to over 150 universities across the UK. The BUCS Awards celebrate the successes of teams and individuals in various league tables and competitions.

Ollie Shearer, Head of Sport at the University of Derby, said: “To receive these awards is fantastic recognition of the hard work, commitment and dedication of everyone involved in Team Derby. Winning ‘Most Improved University’ for the second time, after securing it in 2012, and becoming the only university to win it twice is an amazing achievement.

"The team has worked hard to create an environment where students can manage dual careers and achieve success on and off the field. We are serious about sport and our strategy, which was created to develop the performance, participation and opportunities in sport at the University, reflects this.”

Connor Todd, Vice President of Sport in the Union of Students at the University of Derby, said: “The University, Team Derby and the Union have had the shared goal of being a top sporting institution for a number of years now, and the journey to finally reaching the Top 40 has been a long road of continuous improvements. It is amazing to be a part of the most successful sporting year at the University of Derby.”

Ollie added: “Winning these accolades would not have been possible without the support and commitment from everyone, including the Sports Management Group, chaired by our Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director, Hari Punchihewa, in delivering our shared objectives.”

The University was also shortlisted for ‘Workforce Programme of the Year’ and Charlie Tanfield, Commonwealth Games cyclist and Derby student, was nominated for ‘Sportsman of the Year.’